But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes, we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5 NKJV)
GOD’S PURPOSE PUSHER
For Latilda Shanks Conyers, her life between 2015 and 2016 could be appropriately described as a dreaded season in the wilderness.
But God…
As Conyers recalls, it all began to unfold when she endured what is known as alopecia universalis, a condition characterized by the complete loss of hair on the scalp and body. Generally, it is an advanced form of alopecia areata, a condition that causes round patches of hair loss.
It wasn’t long thereafter, however, that Conyers commenced to chronicling what undoubtedly was a tumultuous, discouraging encounter.
BE HEALED, BE DELIVERED, BE SET FREE
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“I journaled my experience, but I was too broken and ashamed to share it with anyone,” Conyers told Making Headline News during a recent interview. “Before the breast cancer diagnosis, my hair began falling rapidly. Around that same time, I experienced my second miscarriage. I was healthy, worked out consistently, and took care of myself.”
Conyers, in fact, sensed that her body was “betraying me.” Consequently, her marriage began to endure its share of hardships, she explained.
“I was failing my marriage,” Conyers said. “I didn’t want to share my experience. I was disappointed and scared. However, deep down, I felt that God was constantly assuring me through prayer, fasting, and meditation on His word that none of the things I was experiencing was going to kill me. They came so that people could see God in me. But I would have to come out from hiding for that to happen.”
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For what it’s worth, Conyers’ coming “out from hiding,” by her standards, had come to fruition by way of Normal Is Different, her newly-produced book that will officially debut in the coming weeks, the Texas-based author told MHN.
A native of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Conyers began composing Normal Is Different in 2021 and needed somewhere in the neighborhood of a year to complete it.
A spiritually-empowering, riveting written work that is nearing its high-anticipated release, Conyers’ Normal Is Different comes approximately five years after her cancer diagnosis.
“I was preparing for a hysterectomy and going through a divorce at the same time,” Conyers recalls. “While I had a vision for this book years before, in 2021, the words seemed to flow. So as painful as the ending was, it also felt like the end of an era. I finished it in September 2022.”
In essence, Conyers emphasized her new book is centered largely on her fervent quest of turning her pain into purpose.
“I chose to produce the book because I felt like it was an ending to a season of loss for me,” Conyers said of having composed her first novel. “It was time to begin a new journey of healing, restoration, and self-acceptance. It was time to move forward.”
When asked what is the divine message she’s aiming to send to her reading audience through Normal Is Different, Conyers said:
“Trust God. Trust His process. Make your relationship with Him the most important part of your life. Realize that no matter who you are or what you look like, we are all made in His image. Love the differences that shape and mold you into the person you are created to be. Love yourself.”
Interestingly enough, Conyers has become the beneficiary of an array of favorable feedback, particularly from those who are fighting a similar battle.
NOTHING STRANGE IS HAPPENING
“(Many have shown) excitement (for the book),” Conyers said. “Quite a few women with alopecia have shared their story with me. I am inspired by their courage and strength. I hope that other women experiencing hair loss can feel empowered reading my novels, normalizing the existence of bald women in modern day society.
“Sharing my challenges through the characters in the book was like therapy,” Conyers continued. “While my book is not a memoir, it delves into my personal journey with alopecia, breast cancer, and relationships. To get my point across, sometimes I had to go deeper into a dark space time and time again, especially through the editing process.”
At times, Conyers recalls, she would wound up “on my knees often, pouring out to God to not only give me the words, but the healing that I needed” from years of brokenness, loss and grief that she didn’t realize was still there.
HEALED BY THE POWER OF HIS WORD
“It forced me out of my comfort zone,” Conyers explained. “I was never one to command the attention of a room with my voice or my presence. The idea of public speaking, or being interviewed makes me nervous, but it also forces me to depend on God to give me the words. For me, this whole journey has created a dependency on God because there is no way I can do any of this without Him.”
Conyers is pleading those who are enduring a similar battle to make it a point to purchase Normal Is Different.
EXERCISING HER FAITH
“To all my sisters with alopecia, please purchase the book, read, and share your story on my Facebook website (Live Your Normal), “Conyers said. “It is a member only website that serves as a safe space for women to share, cry, laugh and encourage each other. If you’re a bald woman living with alopecia, join our community. Tell us what your day to day looks like, share your normal. What motivates you? How do you deal with tough days? Do you have sensitive skin? What type of products do you use? I searched for answers to these questions at the beginning of my hair loss journey. You are not alone. I would love to hear from you.”
For more information about Texas Author Latilda Shanks Conyers, or to schedule her for a public appearance, book signing, or speaking engagement, connect with her via social media under: Facebook under “Latilda Shanks Conyers.” Send email to: lati1007@yahoo.com.
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Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to makingheadlinenews@gmail.com or to memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.
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